Remarks by ActionSA’s Member of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature Thoko Mashiane during the Legislature Sitting.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I address you with a heavy heart, as the challenges facing our municipalities have reached a crisis point. The very institutions meant to serve our people are now shackled by inefficiency, mismanagement, and a growing mountain of debt. Our municipalities are failing, and we must act decisively—there is no time to lose.
The Eskom debt crisis is dragging our municipalities into deeper financial distress. This burden, now running into billions, is not just a figure on paper—it reflects failing infrastructure, broken promises, and communities left in darkness. This situation is unsustainable, and it demands urgent intervention.
Compounding this crisis is the debt owed to Rand Water. The lifeblood of our communities is at risk as unpaid bills threaten to cut off essential water services. In some parts of Govan Mbeki, residents have experienced low water pressure, while others have none at all. Our people deserve better. They deserve leadership that ensures the basic necessities of life are never compromised.
Amidst this turmoil, our traditional leaders have a critical role to play. As custodians of our heritage and the bridge between our past and future, their wisdom and authority must be integrated into our governance structures. This partnership is essential to ensuring that our development is rooted in the values and needs of our communities. Together, we can restore faith in governance and deliver the service our people desperately need.
But the rot within our municipalities runs deep. The constant changes in mayoral positions have created instability and confusion, leaving our municipalities leaderless at a time when strong leadership is needed most. It is unacceptable that four ANC-run municipalities—Emalahleni, Bushbuckridge, Chief Albert Luthuli, and Dipaleseng—operated without mayors for weeks, plunging them into a state of paralysis.
Earlier this year, the lack of service delivery led to widespread protests, with communities rightfully demanding action on electricity outages, uncollected refuse, sewer spills, and dangerous potholes. These are not isolated incidents; they are symptoms of a broader failure in leadership.
Such a situation compromises service delivery and opens the door to corruption and looting. In municipalities already struggling with poor oversight, unstable councils, decaying infrastructure, poor revenue collection, and weak administration, this is simply unacceptable. These issues should be addressed and resolved, not compounded by political gamesmanship.
Our people deserve stability, continuity, and effective governance. The challenges we face are complex and intertwined, but they are not insurmountable. It is time for leadership that is truly committed to serving the people. We must confront these challenges head-on, work together with all stakeholders, and ensure that our municipalities become places of opportunity, growth, and dignity for all.
Thank you.
ActionSA Calls for Urgent Addressing of Municipal Crisis & Refined Leadership in Mpumalanga Province
Remarks by ActionSA’s Member of Mpumalanga Provincial Legislature Thoko Mashiane during the Legislature Sitting.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Today, I address you with a heavy heart, as the challenges facing our municipalities have reached a crisis point. The very institutions meant to serve our people are now shackled by inefficiency, mismanagement, and a growing mountain of debt. Our municipalities are failing, and we must act decisively—there is no time to lose.
The Eskom debt crisis is dragging our municipalities into deeper financial distress. This burden, now running into billions, is not just a figure on paper—it reflects failing infrastructure, broken promises, and communities left in darkness. This situation is unsustainable, and it demands urgent intervention.
Compounding this crisis is the debt owed to Rand Water. The lifeblood of our communities is at risk as unpaid bills threaten to cut off essential water services. In some parts of Govan Mbeki, residents have experienced low water pressure, while others have none at all. Our people deserve better. They deserve leadership that ensures the basic necessities of life are never compromised.
Amidst this turmoil, our traditional leaders have a critical role to play. As custodians of our heritage and the bridge between our past and future, their wisdom and authority must be integrated into our governance structures. This partnership is essential to ensuring that our development is rooted in the values and needs of our communities. Together, we can restore faith in governance and deliver the service our people desperately need.
But the rot within our municipalities runs deep. The constant changes in mayoral positions have created instability and confusion, leaving our municipalities leaderless at a time when strong leadership is needed most. It is unacceptable that four ANC-run municipalities—Emalahleni, Bushbuckridge, Chief Albert Luthuli, and Dipaleseng—operated without mayors for weeks, plunging them into a state of paralysis.
Earlier this year, the lack of service delivery led to widespread protests, with communities rightfully demanding action on electricity outages, uncollected refuse, sewer spills, and dangerous potholes. These are not isolated incidents; they are symptoms of a broader failure in leadership.
Such a situation compromises service delivery and opens the door to corruption and looting. In municipalities already struggling with poor oversight, unstable councils, decaying infrastructure, poor revenue collection, and weak administration, this is simply unacceptable. These issues should be addressed and resolved, not compounded by political gamesmanship.
Our people deserve stability, continuity, and effective governance. The challenges we face are complex and intertwined, but they are not insurmountable. It is time for leadership that is truly committed to serving the people. We must confront these challenges head-on, work together with all stakeholders, and ensure that our municipalities become places of opportunity, growth, and dignity for all.
Thank you.